LeTour coming next month

LeTour de Mont Pleasant is happening on schedule despite the race no longer being a Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce event.

Set to take place June 6, 7 and 8, the race this year is being hosted by Revolution Cycling Club and the Mid Michigan Cycling Club, organizers Ben Rollenhagen, Bill Strickler Jr. and Lisa Hadden announced last week.

Organizers expect hundreds of cyclists from all over the Midwest and Canada to participate in the race, now in its sixth year.

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Hadden, Strickler Jr. and Rollenhagen are working on a 501c3 non-profit for the Michigan Cycling Club to expand the local club outreach and community activities, Hadden said.

The group is also rebuilding infrastructure and technology as the race transitions, Hadden said.

Organizers said the Morey Foundation is serving as the title sponsor for the race this year.

Other sponsors include Central Michigan University, Strickler Resources, Isabella Bank and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.

“We applaud their support for a walkable-bikeable community and their focus on opportunities for a healthy and fit lifestyle for our community members,” Hadden said.

This year’s race kicks off with the Friday night time trial at the CMU Indoor Athletic Complex building, located south of the football stadium.

Racers will cycle down the starting ramp every 30 second to compete against their own skill levels, Hadden said.

Next up is the downtown criterium beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday with junior races, including the children’s race, with an expected 120 kids cycling on short strips of Broadway Street, Hadden said.

On Sunday, the main, 109-mile race will begin at Mid Michigan Community College at Broadway and Summerton roads, Hadden said.

There will be other categories with shorter races in the county throughout the day Sunday, Hadden said.

Races on Saturday coincide with the Mt. Pleasant Craft Beer Festival and Mt. Pleasant Summer Festival, and joint planning with those groups has resulted in better organization of events and access to downtown parking on Saturday, Hadden said.

The LeTour planning committee has been meeting on a regular basis for six months to plan the event, which brings more than 500 community volunteers and 800 to 900 cyclists each year, Hadden said.